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Ryan Rickelton scored his maiden one-day international century as South Africa claimed a comfortable 107-run win over Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy.
After opting to bat first, the Proteas posted 315-6 with left-hander Rickelton making 103 from 106 balls at the top of the order and half-centuries for Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram.
It proved far too many for Afghanistan, who lost wickets at regular intervals and slumped to 208 all out in 43.3 overs.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was particularly impressive for South Africa with figures of 3-36, while Rahmat Shah was the only batter to provide any real resistance with a knock of 90 from 92 balls.
He was the last man out, edging behind to Rickelton off Rabada as South Africa wrapped up a convincing win to take a step towards the semi-finals.
The Proteas were in control from ball one with Rickelton showing a calm assuredness throughout his innings.
He and Bavuma put on 129 for the second wicket before Van der Dussen and Markram took over in the latter stages with Afghanistan unable to assert much real pressure at any point.
Losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz early in the chase seemed to drain Jonathan Trott’s men of all belief and despite Rahmat’s best efforts, the result was beyond doubt long before Rabada took the final wicket.
Proteas underline Trophy credentials
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Gone are the days where the traditional big-hitters in international cricket might consider beating Afghanistan to be a formality.
But almost from the moment South Africa won the toss, it never felt like the result would be anything but a Proteas win.
There was nothing particularly flashy but it was the casual efficiency with which they secured victory that will add to the belief that Bavuma’s side are among the leading contenders in Pakistan.
With the bat, there was the same calm and patience through the middle overs that is already becoming a theme among the top sides in the competition.
South Africa went along at 6.13 an over between the 11th and 40 overs – the highest of any side at the tournament so far – but rotating the strike rather than boundaries was the key.
They had a dot ball percentage of 37.4%, nearly 10% lower than New Zealand’s 47%, which is the next best in the competition.
Rickelton led the way in that regard and it took an unusual run out – bowler Rashid Khan swooping to collect the ball in his follow through and throwing down the stumps with the South African’s bat in the air as he dived to get back – to end his fine knock.
Bavuma joined him in the steady accumulation of runs before Van der Dussen and Markram upped the tempo late on as four of the top five passed 50.
They passed 300 comfortably and still have the brilliantly destructive Heinrich Klaasen – who was left out as precaution with a left elbow issue – to return.
Meanwhile, even without the express pace of the injured Anrich Nortje, the bowling unit is both varied and full of quality.
Rabada is the undisputed leader of the attack and really ramped up the pace on a bouncy Karachi track with his 91.96mph delivery to bowl Ibrahim Zadran the second fastest ball to take a wicket in the Champions Trophy since 2009.
The consistency of the bowling ensured Afghanistan quickly fell behind the rate and when they did try to launch counter-attacks, the skill of the Proteas bowlers soon stopped such advances in their tracks.
There will be tougher challenges to come but, after falling just short at last year’s T20 World Cup, South Africa look well placed to make a run at another white-ball trophy.
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‘Close to our best performance’ – reaction
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma: “A clinical performance from our side. We got the rub of the green with the toss and took the brave decision to bat first not knowing how the wicket would play. It was a more than competitive score, close to our best performance.”
Player of the match, South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton: “I was quite nervous coming into today – my first proper ICC event. To get up there was a little bit edgy but to set up a winning performance for the team is something I am very chuffed with.”
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi: “We didn’t bat good enough today. If you look at the pitch, it was helping them. We bowled well but the way we batted in the first 20 overs was not up to the mark.”
When do South Africa and Afghanistan next play?
South Africa head to Rawalpindi to face Australia in their second group match on Tuesday.
Afghanistan have to wait until Wednesday before they’re back in action. Next up for them is a meeting with England at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Who’s playing in Saturday’s Champions Trophy match?
England begin their Champions Trophy campaign against old rivals Australia in Lahore on Saturday.
While Australia have won this tournament twice before, in 2006 and 2009, England are bidding to win it for the first time.
